International Documentary Film Festival
March 30 - April 6, 2025
Kaptol Boutique Cinema, Zagreb

Once Upon a Time Michel Legrand (Il était une fois Michel Legrand)

David Hertzog Dessites

Once Upon a Time Michel Legrand

Once Upon a Time: Michel Legrand is a captivating tribute to the iconic jazz musician and film composer. Through exclusive personal archives captured in super 8 format, as well as personal accounts, the film charts Legrand's lifelong devotion to music. Focusing on his final two years, it captures his public appearances in cities like Paris and Moscow, alongside private moments with collaborators, friends and his wife. We witness his tireless dedication, even in solitude, as he continues composing. The documentary paints a moving portrait of a man who masterfully served music until his very last days, showcasing both his public legacy and his intimate, creative spirit. 

France 2024, '110

DIRECTOR: David Hertzog Dessites

CAMERA: Nicolas Beauchamp, Riyad Cairat, Stan Olianker, Paul Olinger

MONTAGE: Margot Icher, Vincent Morvan, David Hertzog Dessites

MUSIC: David Hertzog Dessites, Michel Legrand 

FESTIVALS & AWARDS:

Cannes FF (2024)
Ghent FF (2024)

David Hertzog Dessites

David Hertzog Dessites

David Hertzog Dessites was born in Cannes in 1973. He developed his passion for cinema and discovered American cinema while strolling along the Croisette with his mother, particularly during the Film Festival. Following the death of his mother, a municipal employee, the city of Cannes offered him a job, and David joined the city's cleaning service. During the Film Festival, he sneaked into official screenings after his shift thanks to old childhood friends who were part of the ushering team. In 1999, he decided to go to the United States to film the excitement surrounding the release of Episode I of the Star Wars saga: The Phantom Menace. The result was a documentary, entitled The Force Unleashed. He managed to find a distributor, and the documentary propelled him into the world of filmmaking. David founded Dreamlight Entertainment, his production company, which produced bonus features and behind-the-scenes footage for several films, including Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra and Mulholland Drive. The arrival of the internet and the disappearance of DVDs forced David to close his company. He then founded Le Sous-Marin Productions and directed several documentaries, including From Shadow to Light, about the Outreau affair. He then founded ADN with Julien Azoulay, a company with which he created trailers and teasers for French distributors.

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